Childminder in Staffordshire

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder gets to know children extremely well and they thrive in her care. She meets their personal care needs consistently well, including managing any medical and dietary needs with expertise. Children settle quickly in her company. The childminder builds close bonds with all children from the outset, and inspires these between their peers as well. For example, during a game of peekaboo with colourful scarves, older children interact affectionately with babies, who smile fondly in response. The childminder's behaviour expectations are clear and thoroughly embedded. She encourages children to be kind, caring and polite. Parents comment that the childminder is 'thoughtful, nurturing and loving' and that she has 'beautiful relationships' with their children.

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The provision is outstanding

The childminder is a wonderfully intuitive teacher. She expertly adapts her teaching practice based on children's age, stage and interests. She ignites and inspires their curiosity and enthusiasm to learn. Children delight in attending. They are highly motivated to play and explore and have a lot of fun. For example, babies love sensory experiences specifically designed to captivate them, such as items for them to fill, empty and shake. Older children relish creating, thinking critically and problem-solving. They readily sort items by colour, count them in rows and competently take on the mathematical challenge of adding one more. Children eagerly share their ideas with the childminder as they think about what happens if you mix certain colours together. She facilitates their thoughts by providing paints and materials to use so they can find out for themselves. The childminder capitalises on moments to extend learning at every opportunity. All children rapidly

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The provision is outstanding

gain confidence and the skills they need for the next stage of their education.

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need to do better?

n The childminder is a highly reflective provider who has clear ambition and vision for what she wants to achieve. She continually strives to adapt her practice and make positive changes. For example, she recently reviewed her settling-in process and is planning to implement home visits as part of the initial 'getting to know you' phase. n The childminder provides a curriculum rich in learning opportunities. She knows children incredibly well and routinely makes assessments of their development. She has recently attended a communication and language training course and is implementing specific strategies to focus on this area of development and provide children with support. The childminder ensures any gaps in children's attainment are rapidly addressed. Therefore, no child falls behind at this setting. n Children develop a real love of books and music in this setting. They delight in reading and re-telling familiar stories with stick puppets. They also enjoy using

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need to do better?

factual books for a purpose, such as a book about flowers, which helps to

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need to do better?

14 March 2023 enhance their creative experiences. They highly enjoy song time sessions with props. This helps build on their language development and literacy skills. n The childminder focuses on building on children's independence skills, and children swiftly adapt to her expectations from a young age. For example, older children capably put on, take off and put away their own coats and shoes. They happily state the reason for doing so is that they are 'big' now, which the childminder welcomes and positively praises. n The childminder helps children learn about themselves, their families and their community in an age-appropriate and relatable way. She has a love of nature and is an advocate for outdoor learning. She provides children with a naturally resourced outdoor area and they attend a forest school session externally every week. This helps them learn more about the natural world. n Children learn about the importance of being physical fit and living healthy

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need to do better?

lifestyles. The childminder promotes positive hygiene regimes. She provides nutritious snacks and meals and time for children to be physically active, such as daily 'dancing' time. n The childminder works incredibly well with the local early years team and is a real pillar of the Staffordshire childminding community. She set up a local networking group and has recently been selected by the Department for Education to coach and support other providers on a mentorship programme. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibility with regards to confidentiality and maintains this at all times. She only shares relevant information with other providers and professionals as required. n The childminder works extremely closely with children's families and goes above and beyond to support them. She has a range of strategies to share information with parents and inspires home learning, including recently implementing a book

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need to do better?

borrowing library. The childminder robustly implements and shares with parents key health and safety guidance related to aspects such as safe sleeping and choking hazards. This helps to further promote children's safety, both in the setting and at home.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children are extremely safe, as the setting is very secure. The childminder operates from a purpose-built cabin in her garden, with its own outdoor area. She uses her strong early years knowledge to resource the space well and ensures it is organised skilfully. The setting is clean and suitably maintained, with effective risk assessments in place. The childminder is trained in first aid and manages accidents appropriately. She keeps accident records as required and always informs parents about these on the same day they occur. She routinely reflects on any accidents that occur in her setting to identify any patterns, trends or common themes, to help prevent them in the future. The childminder is an expert in safeguarding. She previously worked in the local safeguarding family support team and has extensive experience of managing child protection concerns. She knows how to identify and handle different types of concerns and manage them in an appropriate way,

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Safeguarding

14 March 2023 including liaising with relevant professionals as required.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY306621 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10279733 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10 Date of previous inspection 12 September 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2005 and lives in Staffordshire. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. Sessions are available Tuesday to Thursday from 7.30am until 6pm, all year around, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how she ensures that they are safe and suitable. n The childminder spoke to the inspector about their intentions for children's learning. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they enjoy doing while with the childminder. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Parents shared their views on the setting with the inspector. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

14 March 2023 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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